I am a Clinical Psychologist working at The Voices Clinic in Melbourne. We are currently running a pilot trial (part of my PhD) evaluating a trauma-focussed therapy for people who hear distressing voices.

The therapy involves talking about past traumatic or stressful events in a safe space with a therapist in order to process and make sense of the memories. We are using an adapted version of imaginal exposure and seeing the trial as a ‘proof of concept’ to see whether exposure can help with distressing voices that are related to trauma. We hope to contribute to knowledge about whether/how exposure might be used as part of a wider, phased, trauma focussed therapy for people who hear distressing voices.

I am wondering whether you would be willing to share information about the study through your networks?

We are seeking Melbourne/Victoria based people who currently hear distressing voices, who identify as having experienced traumatic or stressful events, and who are at a point in their recovery in which they would like to access a trauma-focussed therapy that aims to address the impact of these events.

This study is being run by myself as part of my PhD studies, with Neil Thomas. Susan Rossell, and Sarah Bendall all supervising. We also have had consultation and input from international experts in the delivery of trauma-focussed therapies for people experiencing psychosis.

Regarding the medication issues, this simple approach was posted today on the DISSOC list, which some on this list will have seen: "A rule of thumb is to take one month for each taper for every year on antidepressants."

In this approach, a "taper" is some step down amount – a small part of the dose being reduced – often 10%, so reducing to 90% at the first taper, 80% at the second, etc.)

It would be great of the College of Psychiatry, or of General Practice were to produce some standards for de-medicating (and perhaps for de-diagnosing as well, at some point). I wonder if we might hear that something about this as a result of the tour.

Our plans are going very well. In Feb 2018 we have Peter Gotzsche and Bob Whitaker on a 3 week lecture tour : Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, Christchurch, Wellington Hamilton and Auckland. For more info. and bookings see our site at https://www.mentalhealthcrisis.co/. A mention to your group would be appreciated.